The Grand Elder's plan was well-thought-out, but he also faced many dangers. For example, the Black Demon Palace was merely a stopgap measure; they would eventually devour them completely.
Another danger was that if the Grand Elder's conspiracy were exposed, his branch would face utter destruction, and no one in the family would tolerate him.
Qin Chuan had already approached the Grand Elder, who looked at him disdainfully, his eyes full of playful provocation, as if saying, "Try hitting me if you dare!"
"You gave me two choices, so I'll prove it to you. I don't want to leave; leaving is too undignified."
As Qin Chuan spoke, he left a long afterimage—a true afterimage—and then everyone heard a crisp sound.
*Slap!
* A slap!
It was a slap, but those around couldn't tell who hit whom, because the Grand Elder moved at the same time as Qin Chuan.
The Grand Elder's cultivation was terrifying; he was a top figure in the Zhan family. His high status in the Zhan family was due to his formidable fighting power.
"Is this proof enough?"
A gentle voice rang out, and many people listened intently, recognizing the voice as theirs.
"Holy crap, that's Qin Chuan's voice! What does this mean?" someone exclaimed.
"What does it mean? The Grand Elder got slapped, need I say more?"
"Aren't you surprised?"
"Ah, holy crap, so the Grand Elder got slapped! The Grand Elder got slapped! I thought the Grand Elder slapped Qin Chuan!" the person who spoke earlier exclaimed excitedly.
This left the surrounding people speechless, but most were actually shocked by Qin Chuan's strength—being able to slap the Grand Elder.
Don't underestimate this slap. In a battle between powerful martial artists, a slap doesn't just mean humiliation; it also signifies the ability to instantly kill.
Because one can instantly kill but disdains to, a slap serves as a humiliation, showing the difference in strength between them, and also telling the other, "I am the one who can slap you, the one who can instantly kill you."
When everyone saw the scene unfolding, Qin Chuan had already returned to his position, while the Grand Elder sat on the ground, his face swollen like a pig's head.
He was stunned, staring at Qin Chuan in disbelief, still reeling from the slap.
He couldn't believe it, couldn't accept it, but it was undeniably true; Qin Chuan had killed him so easily before.
At this moment, no one underestimated Qin Chuan. Some had looked down on him before, though they hadn't shown it, they felt it in their hearts.
This slap not only stunned the Grand Elder but also jolted many around him awake; the surroundings were now quiet.
Slapping the Grand Elder was a slap in the face to the Zhan family, but Qin Chuan's displayed strength made them incredibly wary, and no one dared to say anything.
Qin Chuan looked at the Grand Elder, who had recovered his senses, and asked again calmly, "Are you satisfied with this proof?"
The Grand Elder's expression was downcast, and he said softly, "Satisfied!"
It wasn't that he wanted to say it, but he had no choice. He had verbally humiliated a powerful figure before; if he hadn't spoken now when Qin Chuan asked, Qin Chuan could have killed him earlier without anyone finding it strange.
Because of the dignity of the strong, even if Qin Chuan had killed him directly now, it would have been normal, and no one would have objected.
The deterrent effect might even be better, but Qin Chuan didn't want to kill anyone. It wasn't out of necessity; Qin Chuan simply didn't want to kill.
The desired effect was achieved, and unlike others, Zhan Hao was very happy. Although it was a slap in the face to the Zhan family, a slap to the members of the Zhan family, he knew these brainless people deserved it.
Not only did they deserve it, but there was another reason: the Zhan family was already on the verge of destruction, yet these people still couldn't understand, completely unaware of the gravity of the situation.
If Qin Chuan's slap could wake them up, that would be good, but now it seemed it had only stunned them, not truly awakened them.
After everyone left, Qin Chuan stayed behind. Zhan Hao was also there. Qin Chuan thought for a moment and said, "How much do you know about the Zhan family?"
"Actually, I know almost everything. For example, the Grand Elder has dealings with the Black Demon Palace, but there's no evidence. Plus, the Grand Elder's position in the Zhan family is secure, and many people follow his lead. You've seen it too; the Grand Elder has thoughts of replacing me, or at least plans to separate from the Zhan family."
Zhan Hao said calmly. Qin Chuan smiled upon hearing this. This young patriarch of the Zhan family was indeed composed and very composed.
Whether it was an act or not, it didn't matter. As long as he could keep up the act, the fake would become the real.
Three days passed in a flash.
Qin Chuan hadn't left the courtyard for the past few days, spending his days cultivating and teaching Mo Mou. His daughter had returned to his side after many years, which moved Qin Chuan deeply.
The scenes of his first meeting with Mo Mou were still vivid in his mind, as was the scene of severing their father-daughter relationship when he left.
They met once more, when she was already in the Dragon Clan. They reconciled, but this time, they met again, each time in a sorry state.
Last time in the Dragon Clan, she was forced into a very difficult situation; this time, she almost lost her life.
It truly was fate.
Mo Mou studied diligently under Qin Chuan. He taught her practical combat, not cultivation techniques, but he could make her cultivation more stable.
He also helped her strengthen her foundation and cultivate her innate abilities. Finally, he provided various practical combat training sessions, which were truly extensive, even injuring Mo Mou several times.
However, the results were excellent, exceptionally good. Mo Mou's strength increased every day; this increase was a result of accumulated experience.
She had already accumulated enough before, and Qin Chuan was now helping her unleash it, integrating all that accumulated knowledge into her being.
Several more days passed, and the Black Demon Palace seemed to have forgotten about the Zhan family, making no move. But Qin Chuan knew this was temporary; the Black Demon Palace would definitely come, and it definitely wouldn't be long.
This morning, Qin Chuan got up, did his morning exercise, ate breakfast, and as the sun rose high in the sky, he prepared to go out. Just then, he saw Zhan Hao approaching, looking hurried.
Qin Chuan knew the Black Demon Palace had arrived.
"Mr. Qin!" Zhan Hao's expression was calm, but he couldn't hide the tension in his eyes.
This was understandable; after all, it concerned the life and death of the Zhan family. This was his pretext; everyone here was his family, so naturally he was nervous—anyone would be.
Qin Chuan smiled, "Don't be too nervous, let's go see!"
Zhan Hao didn't say what it was about, but he knew Qin Chuan had already guessed.
Forcing a smile, Zhan Hao nodded and led Qin Chuan towards the Zhan family's gate.